Beschreibung:

Wilson (James). A Missionary Voyage to the Southern Pacific Ocean, performed in the Years 1796, 1797, 1798, in the Ship Duff, commander by Captain James Wilson ... illustrated with maps, charts, and views, drawin by Mr. William Wilson ... with a preliminary discourse on the geography and history of the South Sea Islands; and an Appendix, including details never before published, of the natural and civil state of Otaheite, 1st edition, London: by S. Gosnell, for T. Chapman, 1799, 13 engraved maps and plates (seven maps and charts including five folding, and five engraved views), light offsetting from maps and plates to adjoining page of text, some light spotting to the general map, final chart almost detached, contemporary cloth-backed boards, some marks and soiling, spine frayed to upper joint and at head and foot, upper cover near-detached, large 4to (29 x 22.25 cm) (Quantity: 1) Borba de Moraes II pp. 378-9; ESTC T87461; Ferguson 301; cf. Sabin 49490 (for the 'ordinary' edition). The preferred Gosnell edition: there was also an 'ordinary' edition (Ferguson) with the imprint 'for T. Chapman ... by T. Gillet', in a completely different setting and on smaller paper; Gosnell's edition is thought to have priority. Borba de Moraes is mistaken in citing a second edition 'similar in all details [to Gosnell's edition] except for the signature of the plates', that is, with 'J. Landseer direxit' rather than 'for Missionary Voyage': it is in fact Gosnell's edition in which the plates have 'J. Landseer direxit'. 'The Duff was the first missionary vessel to sail the little-known waters of the Pacific Ocean. After 208 days the vessel reached Tahiti, landing seventeen missionaries there, a further twelve at Tonga, and one on the Marquesas ... Several of the missionaries settled in Australia and founded families important in Australian history. The Duff proceeded from Tonga through the Fiji and Caroline Groups to Canton. In the course of this voyage the Duff Group was discovered and named and the knowledge of Pacific geography considerably extended' (Ferguson).